Darkness At Noon Part II
Episode 2
Theme
Quote
“Last time on Extreme Ghostbusters.” – Eduardo
It Just Popped In There
Is this the first time an animated Ghostbusters cartoon had a “previously on…” showing what happened during the previous episode? Which if you had watched Darkness At Noon Part 1 when it first aired, was only a day prior.
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Office Area
Quote
“Oh wait, what am I thinking? The equipment is falling apart and the ECTO-1 is in terrible shape.” – Egon
It Just Popped In There
Where does Garrett keep all those candy bars he and Slimer seem to enjoy so much?
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Garage Bay
Roland gets ECTO-1 running like a top according to Janine when she started the car up.
You’ll Need A Reference
Janine has driven ECTO-1 during The Real Ghostbusters. In episodes like Janine’s Genie.
NYC Location: Possibly Chinatown
Two men are using pay phones. As at least one of them is discussing business Achira (‘disguised’ as Kylie) approaches.
You’ll Need A Reference
Sometime after the California gold rush (1840s-1850s) Chinese people moved east to larger cities. By 1880 the southeast side of NY, known as ‘Five Points’ was home to between 200-1,100 Chinese.
You’ll Need A Reference
The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. Twenty two years later the first pay phone in the United States was installed in Chicago, the year 1898.
There were still around 8,000 pay phones in NYC in 2014. The Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (Also known as DoITT) may upgrade these pay phones to a type of NYC Wifi.
Achira touches/taps these two men, instantly causing a ‘ghost disease.’
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Lab Area
Egon and Roland are looking at schematics for what looks like a Proton Pack.
Quote
“All the interior circuitry needs to be checked.” – Egon
It’s Technical
While Roland is making a minor adjustment to what appears to be Nutrona Wand, Garrett checks it out. Eduardo picks up another Nutrona Wand.
Quotes
- “You said red is positive right?” – Eduardo
- “No, positive is…” – Roland
After Eduardo seems to get electrocuted and Slimer (almost rightfully so) laughs at him Roland tells him positive is black.
It Just Popped In There
If he doesn’t know what’s he doing, why would Eduardo risk getting hurt by something he clearly doesn’t understand? They aren’t charging a car battery.
NYC Location: Crosstown Subway
Kylie (as Achira) walks inside a subway car infecting people. Before she is finished, she reassures a blind man everything will be fine.
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Garage Bay
ECTO-1
It’s Technical
Eduardo (who recovered very quickly from being shocked by an unknown amount of volts) and Roland install a ramp. Which seems to automatically retract into ECTO-1 once Garrett is inside. Maybe it works in part with sensors?
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Training Area
With ECTO-1 seemingly ready Roland, Garrett, and Eduardo learn how to use Proton Packs. Trained by Dr. Egon Spengler, one half of the team who invented them in the first place. 8)
You’ll Need A Reference
Roland’s wild firing of his Nutrona Wand is reminiscent of when Egon continued firing towards Onionhead (who had already left the bar area) in the ball room at The Sedgewick Hotel in Ghostbusters.
Quotes
- “The important thing to remember is that you must never under any circumstances cross the streams.” – Egon
- “Why, what will happen? Another electric shock?” – Eduardo
- “No, nuclear explosion.” – Egon
You’ll Need A Reference
In Ghostbusters Egon almost forgot to tell Ray and Peter (Ray probably already had a good idea about it anyway) not to cross the streams because something bad could happen. Basically “protonic reversal.” Exciting possibility to Ray. To Peter, any fear is turned into determination to catch Onionhead.
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Lab Area
Training continues with learning how to use a P.K.E Meter.
Quote
“This is called a P.K.E Meter. It registers psycho kinetic energy. Which allows you to determine if their is or was a ghost in the area.” – Egon
You’ll Need A Reference
A poster of Albert Einstein is hanging on the wall.
NYC Location: Doctor’s Office/Hospital
A blond hair doctor is examining a person whose been infected by Achira. Its around this time at least (in the opinion of a nurse whose still wearing a nurse’s cap…in 1997) that a virus has become an outbreak.
It Just Popped In There
The doctor has a strong resemblance to Egon (without the duck tail hairstyle) from The Real Ghostbusters era. Maybe someone within his family. Or could just be a coincidence.
Also, maybe a nurse shouldn’t declare out loud by infected patients their’s been an outbreak. At least it’s not official right?
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Kitchen (Possibly At Night)
It’s Technical
Eduardo is wearing a Proton Pack and using a P.K.E Meter which is showing readings. He opens the fridge to find Slimer finishing some dessert, possibly that cake from Part I.
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Garage Bay
ECTO-1
Roland, Garrett, and Eduardo put on their Proton Packs ready to leave in ECTO-1.
It Just Popped In There
If they’re going to get in ECTO-1 and drive (presumably to look for Achira) why are they wearing their Proton Packs?
Location: Driving Through NYC
It’s Technical
As Roland drives through the city Garrett and Eduardo use their P.K.E Meters. Garrett is only getting faint readings. Eduardo, if he’s using it correctly isn’t getting any. You can’t get readings if the equipment isn’t turned on. Rookies. 😀
Sorry, I Missed It
While I don’t blame them for wanting to wear Proton Packs (who wouldn’t?) they aren’t while driving/sitting in ECTO-1.
ECTO-1/Ghostbusters Firehouse – Office Area
Quotes
- “I’ve been analyzing a piece of the ghost that attacked me. It appears we’re dealing with a symbiant-apparitional entity. In other words it needs a host.” – Egon
- “What, like Alex Trebek?” – Eduardo
You’ll Need A Reference
Alex Trebek has been hosting the game show Jeopardy since 1984.
Sorry, I Missed It
Right around when Roland is stopping ECTO-1 to park the driver’s side “no ghost” logo is just a colored in “no” symbol. on the close up once they’re parked the real logo returns. On the very next wide shot both “no ghost” logos on the hood and driver’s side door are both colored in “no” symbols.
NYC Location: Street • By Storage Areas
Roland, Eduardo, and Garrett get out of ECTO-1 once they’re in the vicinity of Achira.
It’s Technical
I thought the ramp for Roland to get in and out of ECTO-1 was automated. Why does Eduardo have to manually pull the ramp out?
Sorry, I Missed It
When Roland, Eduardo, and Garrett exit ECTO-1, they’re wearing their Proton Packs. They weren’t just a moment ago.
Quotes
- “Let’s nail this puppy.” – Garrett
- “Where’d you learn to talk like that? Jackie Chan movies?” – Eduardo
- “Jackie Chans’ for wimps and people from Long Island. Brooklyn Heights is in the house!” – Garrett
You’ll Need A Reference
Jackie Chan is a martial arts (mostly comedic) actor whose known for doing his own stunts. He’s also directed movies. In The United States Jackie Chan may be known more for his Rush Hour films then his earlier works. In January 1997 First Strike had been in theaters.
Perhaps Garrett is too young to remember Jackie Chan’s earlier films. Not that anyone really could, Jackie Chan could have been the next Bruce Lee. Jackie ain’t no wimp Garrett.
After that bit of talk as Roland is using his P.K.E Meter, strong readings indicate which direction they need to go in. Roland and Garrett leave, Eduardo decides to stay in case Egon calls. What possibly could go wrong?
NYC Location: Street • By Storage Areas
Eduardo hears a female voice call his name as a figure emerges from the shadows. It sounds like Achira, she looks like Kylie!
Quote
“Kylie? Man, Egon’s going to be mad at you for taking that beeping thing.” – Eduardo
You’ll Need A Reference
Eduardo is referring to the ‘Ghost Beacon’ from Darkness At Noon Part 1.
Somehow Achira is able to access memories. She uses Kylie and Eduardo’s meeting at NYCC to seduce him. If they kiss, he’ll be infected.
Quotes
“Why, she’s legal.” – Eduardo
It Just Popped In There
The Parents Television Council wouldn’t have liked that a decade earlier.
Quotes
- “Ahh blast her.” – Eduardo
- “Wait, hold it. What if I blast through the ghost and we end up killing Kylie?” – Roland
- “I think we ought to give it a try.” – Garrett
- “It seems awful risky. Maybe we should wait to check with Egon.” – Roland
Achira continues to make her move towards Eduardo who has fallen on the ground, looking up towards Kylie. With the others “debating” what The Real Ghostbusters already figured out way back when Eduardo fires a proton stream at Kylie who becomes separated from Achira. With Kylie presumably safe the others also fire at Achira.
Quotes
- “The trap Eduardo.” – Roland
- “I thought you had it.” – Eduardo
- “It’s back in the ECTO-1.” – Garrett
It Just Popped In There
The Real Ghostbusters Proton Packs unlike their movie counterparts allowed for a Ghost Trap to ‘hook’ onto them. Of course, if the Ghost Traps have been removed and left in say ECTO-1, it won’t help a Real or Extreme Ghostbuster.
The inexperienced team can’t or doesn’t keep their “grip” on Achira, they stop firing, and she goes free.
ECTO-1
Egon radios from HQ to see what’s happening.
Quotes
- “You blasted me.” – Kylie
- “I had to. You were doing the Linda Blair bit, you were like possessed!” – Eduardo
You’ll Need A Reference
Linda Blair is an actress who played the possessed child, Regan in the 1973 movie The Exorcist.
Quote
“We’re (Extreme) Ghostbusters now.” – Garrett
With Kylie feeling better, she’s ready to seek revenge on Achira. She takes Eduardo’s Nutrona Wand and turns it on.
Quote
“Show me how to work this thing.” – Kylie
It Just Popped In There
If she doesn’t know how to operate a Proton Pack, she shouldn’t have just turned it on!
Sorry, I Missed It
When did Eduardo put his Nutrona Wand back on his Proton Pack before Kylie removed it?
Roland mentions Egon wanting them to return to The Firehouse right away. I’m pretty sure Egon didn’t radio that in, he wanted to know what was happening a little earlier.
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Lab Area (Night)
Egon is typing on his computer. The team and Slimer are there.
Tobin’s Spirit Guide
Achira is the demon spawn of Duaka. Her name is derived from the Mesopotamian word, “Achira-Teema,” roughly translated to “Destroyer of Civilizations.” Achira’s function is to spread her disease and decay on cities in order to fulfill the 11th prophecy.
Her repeated method of destruction involves taking on a willing host and releasing a plague, which causes victims to grow disgusting blotches on their faces, some form of cross dimensional dermo-transmogrification.
NYC Location: Crosstown Subway
With Egon’s theory most likely correct the Extreme Ghostbusters head to the new subway tunnel.
It’s Technical
“These P.K.E Meters are amazing. They’re like ectoplasmic geiger counters.”
You’ll Need A Reference
A Geiger counter measures different kinds of radiation. In Ghostbusters II Ray uses a Giga Meter to scan/detect paranormal activity beneath First Ave. Egon and Ray may have named it for Hans Geiger who invented the earliest meter in 1908.
They continue down the dark, abandoned tunnel.
Quote
“Spook Central.” – Eduardo
You’ll Need A Reference
Spook Central is what Ray called Dana Barrett’s apartment building when they were discussing what they found out about the architect Ivo Shandor.
Roland finds an entrance to an ancient tunnel. They confidentially enter, at least most of them. Eduardo gets frightened by something. Firing a quick blast, it knocks him down.
Quote
“Nice shootin’ Eddie. I think its dead..again” – Garrett
You’ll Need A Reference
During Ghostbusters when the Ghostbusters were trying to catch Onionhead, who had been enjoying a cold beverage Egon continued firing. Maybe part excitement, maybe partially out of fear. Peter stops him and says “Nice shootin’ Tex.” Which is probably Old West” America slang.
As they come across an ancient artifact (I believe it was on Egon’s computer earlier) Kylie understands what it is from Achira because she reads.
Quotes
- “Hey man, last semester I read The Oddity Of Homer.” – Eduardo
- “The Odyssey” – Kylie
You’ll Need A Reference
From Wikipedia
The Odyssey (/ˈɒdəsi/; Greek: Ὀδύσσεια Odýsseia, pronounced [o.dýs.sej.ja] in Classical Attic) is one of two major ancient Greekepic poems attributed to Homer. It is, in part, a sequel to the Iliad, the other work ascribed to Homer. The poem is fundamental to the modern Western canon, and is the second oldest extant work of Western literature, the Iliad being the oldest. Scholars believe it was composed near the end of the 8th century BC, somewhere in Ionia, the Greek coastal region of Anatolia.
Further in the ancient trouble, Achira has the tunnel protected. When they get too close to part of the tunnel, a ‘drawing’ of a snake comes to ghostly life! Eduardo who seems to be getting use to a thrower is able to disperse it. Kylie referred to these types of things as minions. Of course their has to be minions.
Achira (from somewhere) doesn’t like the Extreme Ghostbusters meddling in her business. So she causes tremors (reminding us of Indiana Jones) trying to trap the team.
Quote
“Oh man, this ghostbustin’ business stinks!” – Eduardo
It’s Technical
While it isn’t advised to use Nutrona Wands to melt steel bars, you do what you need to when you’re escaping to catch a Class VI S.P.E
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Lab Area
Egon is wearing Ecto-Goggles, which he is using to help read Achira’s stone tablet. As he’s reading Slimer doesn’t seem to be paying any attention as he’s busy playing with a Yo-Yo.
Quote
“My Mesopotamia is a little rusty. But I think I deciphered the gist of it.” – Egon
Egon relays that basically Achira is the “the tip of the iceberg.” Its her off spring that “will ultimately destroy the world.” Great.
You’ll Need A Reference
Egon has spoken like this before both during The Real Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters. If Achira is a Class VI, her off spring may as well have been friends with Gozer. They both appear to be from the same region of the world where I suppose they were worshipped.
Mesopotamia was an ancient empire located where Iraq, Kuwait, and parts of Syria and Turkey are today.
Quote
“Achira is one of the most highly evolved ghosts I’ve come across. In comparison most others are rather simple minded.” – Egon
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Janine’s Desk
Janine was doing something when the phone rings.
It Just Popped In There
The phone by now could be ringing off the hook as more people have been infected, may have seen Achira, and other New Yorkers have seen ECTO-1 driving through the city. No one really knows Ghostbusters is open again. In any case Janine knows how it can be.
Quote
“Egon Spengler’s residence. Oh no the Ghostbusters have been out of business for…uh huh.. I see. Got it.” – Janine
The phone rings again and Janine has a similar call, this time writes down an address. As she is walking away the phone rings again. We feel your pain Janine.
Quote
“(Extreme) Ghostbusters. I think we’re back.” – Janine
You’ll Need A Reference
In Ghostbusters II when the Ghostbusters are back in business (presumably early on) Janine tells someone on the phone, “Yes, we’re back.”
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Lab Area
Janine finally brings the messages upstairs to Egon/the new team.
Quote
“We must have gotten 50 calls! Kinda feels like the old days.” – Janine
Egon doesn’t seem overly joyed by the ‘news.’ Maybe now would be a really good time to get in touch with Ray, Peter, and Winston.
“No, I’ve been giving this a lot of thought. I can’t send you kids out there again. It’s not you, its the equipment. It was ineffective vs Achira the last time and their’s no reason to believe it’ll work any better now. She’s just too powerful” – Egon
Quotes
- “Then why don’t we make the equipment more powerful?” – Roland
- “Upgrade it.” – Kylie
- “Soup it up.” – Garrett
- “Its not that simple. In fact its impossible.” – Egon
It’s Technical
Quotes
- “It would require increasing the nuclear capacity of the Proton Packs you carry. Of course the Ghost Traps would have to be modified in order to correlate with the augmented proton charge.” – Egon
- “You work up the specs, I’ll do the rest.” – Roland
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Lab Area
Egon creates upgraded ghostbustin’ equipment. The new team, minus Eduardo builds it. Including a new Ghost Trap tested by Egon and Kylie. In part because of the new equipment some modified uniforms are also required.
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Garage Bay
The new equipment is loaded into ECTO-1. The Extreme Ghostbusters head out.
Sorry, I Missed It
While driving in ECTO-1, (and a little earlier) the team’s “no ghost” logos are colored “no” symbols, once again missing the ghost.
NYC Location: Brooklyn Bridge
The Extreme Ghostbusters drive through NYC, part way through the Brooklyn Bridge they are momentarily stopped by Achira throwing a car.
You’ll Need A Reference
Construction on the Brooklyn Bridge began on January 3, 1870. It connects Brooklyn to Manhattan (and vice versa) over the East River. When completed the Brooklyn Bridge opened on May 24, 1883.
With Achira over the Brooklyn Bridge the Extreme Ghostbusters prepare their new equipment.
It Just Popped In There
In this case because of Achira I understand why Egon needed to design new Proton Packs and Ghost Trap(s). The P.K.E Meter which seem to work well enough during The Real Ghostbusters was also redesigned. True, it might have also been upgraded. After Achira is finally dealt with, well most of this new equipment wouldn’t be needed.
I know, similar to setting up a new team, Darkness At Noon Part 2 sets up different, upgraded equipment. Besides kids are going to need new toys. 😀
Quote
“Alright ghost lady. Get ready to suck proton juice!’ – Garrett
Achira didn’t take too kindly to Garrett’s disrespect. She breathes fire down in the team’s direction, causing damage to ECTO-1. Such as front window, interior, and radio to talk to HQ.
The Extreme Ghostbusters aren’t exactly sure how to handle the situation. Soon Achira makes the next move by summoning the infections (her off spring) from all she had been in contact with, including Egon. Yes! 8) Once they reach the bridge, they’re on the attack. So are the Extreme Ghostbusters.
It doesn’t take too long for Extreme Ghostbusters to catch Achira in the new upgraded Ghost Trap.
NYC Location: Doctor’s Office/Hospital
Patients who had been infected are now healing since unbeknownst to most of them Achira has been captured. Since this means Egon is also healthy again….
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Office Area
Quote
“They defeated the ghost!” – Egon
Soon the Extreme Ghostbusters return to the Firehouse (without) ECTO-1. Unless it ran ok enough to be outside.
Quote
“We came, we saw, we kicked ghost butt!” – Garrett
You’ll Need A Reference
In Ghostbusters after catching Onionhead Peter excitedly remarks “We came, we saw, we kicked its a**!” Then they discuss billing to the Sedgewick Hotel manager.
Ghostbusters Firehouse – Basement – Ecto-Containment Unit
Eduardo hands Egon the new Ghost Trap to do something with it. Egon shows them the upgraded Containment Unit to accommodate the larger traps.
It Just Popped In There
It’s Egon, so it was probably perfectly safe. When he was making the upgrades to the ECU, how did he prevent who knows how many ghosts from escaping? I know he didn’t have a choice, he really could have used Ray’s help with the upgrades.
Quote
“Man, I’m just glad its over. It is over?” – Roland
Egon scratches his chin, thinking. “Hmm.” – Egon
They spoke too soon as if Egon’s thoughts were coming to life. Achira may be locked away. In the new, unfinished subway tunnel, various kinds of ghosts escape into NYC, setting up a need for Extreme Ghostbusters.
Sources:
- Reference: Achira’s ‘Tobin’s Spirit Guide’ entry from Ghostbusters Wiki.
- The Odyssey information from Wikipedia.
- Screencaps: Ghostbusters Wiki. Used as reference under fair use of United States copyright law.
Ecto-Containment 